Jakarta's Istiqlal mosque hosts mass iftar for 10,000

The Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, hosted a mass iftar event that attracted around 10,000 people on Thursday. This gathering is a part of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims when they fast from dawn until dusk. Each day during Ramadan, the mosque's charity committee provides about 4,500 free meals. These meals are for passersby, travelers, and those in need. Ahmad Mulyadi, one of the event organizers, mentioned that they cannot always meet the demand for food, as the number of people often exceeds what they can supply. Many attendees brought their own meals to enjoy with family and friends. Some, like Siti Hafnita Siregar Sukawati, a 77-year-old widow, prefer the communal experience over eating alone at home. She expressed that being part of such a gathering strengthens her faith. For others, like motorcycle taxi driver Mohammad Nur, breaking their fast at the mosque is meaningful, especially when away from home. Tenri Jeka, a vendor at the mosque, serves about 1,000 meals daily. While her profits may be lower during Ramadan, she values the blessings that come from serving others.